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| Harry 'Berry' McGilberry |
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I didn't know him very long. Just before Harry Berry came to Youngstown to be a guest on my show in November of 2005, the group's promoter thought he should'forewarn' me that I would not like Harry; he said that I would find Harry to be very difficult. But determined to form my own opinions, I contacted Harry (as I do all guests) to do a pre-interview over the phone, and he informed me that his travel arrangements needed to be corrected, or else he would not be coming to Youngstown. Well, I thought that was reasonable. So I contacted the event coordinator who was bringing "The Temptations Experience" to Youngstown. He immediately amended Harry's travel arrangements. Harry called me to say thanks, and that was the start of a great, though brief, friendship.
I soon learned that Harry liked attention. He didn't insist on having all the attention, but he had a way of saying, "Include me" or "Me too, Debor'ah!" And that was just fine; I enjoyed including Harry. During his time in Youngstown, OH, while awaiting a performance for the Steel Hounds Hockey team, Harry showed up out of nowhere and helped carry my camera gear into the arena. After the taping of my show (The Valley Gold Show), Harry and the other members of the Temptations Experience came to my home for dinner. We shot pool and just enjoyed each other. I even remember Harry being the last one in the group that I spoke with after they returned to their hotel rooms for the night. He had misplaced his sunglasses, and again was ever so grateful that I was able to have them returned to him. After the group left town, Harry, as well as the others, continued to stay in touch with me... a call here and there to say "What did you think of our show?" or "How are you? and we ended each conversation with a "Love you," and "Love you, too."
Well, Harry is gone. And wonderful tributes have been paid to many passed members of The Temptations, and rightfully so. Each of them, though their time was short on this earth, gave us all so much beautiful music and inspiration. So when you view this presentation of The Valley Gold Show, the finale is of Harry Berry singing "Old Man River" and as he takes his bow, the other members of "The Temptations Experience" extend their hands to him in honor, .. as if to say, "You Too, Harry. You too."
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